Lancaster PA Real Estate Blog - Lancaster PA Realtor

Election Results for Lancaster County, Pennsylvania...

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:57:57 -0600

Here are the reported election results for Lancaster County, PA Offices of Mayor, Councilperson & School Board Director…winners in each election are listed below:

Click here for the Lancaster County Election Results – Borough, City Mayor and Council Winners

Click here for Lancaster County Township Elections – Township Supervisor Winners

Click here for the Lancaster County PA Election Results – School Board Director Winners

Lancaster Mid Century Modern Homes For Sale?

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 06:54:14 -0600

As a California refugee (and one who restored a trashed Eichler home in the city of Orange), I am particularly partial to homes that were built in the middle of the 20th Century using a “modern” architectural style. Called contemporary as well, these homes incorporated angular lines and flat planes to project a boxy, incomplete sense for the viewer. This style, coined “Mid Century Modern”, was considered to be an extension of the organic architectural principles of the well-known Frank Lloyd Wright, whose influence was primarily upon the first third of the century.

US Senate Committee Approves Extension And Expansion of Homebuyer Credit

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:08:37 -0500

Breaking News for potential home buyers coming out of Washington Today...

Read the latest details at my Lancaster PA Real Estate blog - US Senate Approves Tax Credit Extension

Here's hoping this proposal makes it's way through the process!

New HUD1 Form Has Many Changes, Most For The Better...

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 01:07:14 -0500

A pair of changes to the real estate transaction process will be noticeable to both consumers and industry pros alike – new “Truth In Lending” (TIL) procedures by mortgage lenders and a new “HUD-1″ Settlement sheet following new RESPA guidelines (that stands for Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act). Both are designed to bring fuller disclosure of loan and settlement costs to consumers.

In this post I’ll deal with the new HUD-1 form, and in a future post the Truth In Lending process. The new HUD closing sheet relies heavily on the Good Faith Estimate, which is given by the lender to the consumer at the time the consumer applies for a loan. Under the new TIL regulations lenders must furnish the (now) borrower with another Good Faith Estimate should the terms change (including the rate, purchase price, etc). Your real estate agent needs to be on top of this…

Read the rest of the article at my Lancaster PA Real Estate blog on the new HUD1 form for 2010

Knob And Tube Wiring - Insurance Hazard?

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 21:20:54 -0500

Many of the homes in Lancaster County are older with great architectural detail and character. However, one of the less attractive historical features, from an insurance perspective, can be the”knob and tube” wiring that is commonly found in homes built prior to the 1930’s. As a result, homebuyers may have trouble finding a Homeowners Insurance carrier that will insure a home with knob and tube wiring.

What is “knob and tube” wiring?
Knob and tube wiring is an electrical wiring method that was commonly installed in buildings between 1880’s to the 1930’s...

Visit my Lancaster PA Real Estate Blog for the full article on Knob & Tube Wiring Insurance Issues, thanks!

___________________________________________________________________________

For Lancaster PA homes for sale click here. Jeff Geoghan is a top real estate expert in Lancaster County, PA, and an involved community member. Jeff's work has been featured in the Lancaster Newspapers, WGAL Channel 8, PA Business Journal and Wall Street Journal. Jeff's blog on Lancaster County and its homes is nationally-featured. Contact Jeff for more help with your Lancaster PA Real Estate needs. Jeff is also a photographer - view some of his lancaster pa photography portfolio. Comments are welcome!

Interested in learning more about Lancaster County, PA? Read More...

Interested in listing your Lancaster PA Home for sale? See our #1 home marketing program!

Relocating to Lancaster County? We're part of one of the largest relocation companies in the world today.

What's Up With The Homebuyer Tax Incentive? A Legislative Review

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:29:31 -0500

Courtesy of Ray Smith - Home National Mortgage

Here is a snapshot analysis on the current state of extending the first time homebuyer tax credit.

Relevant Legislation In the House:

H.R.3761 : To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the first-time homebuyer tax credit, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Biggert, Judy [IL-13] (introduced 10/8/2009) Cosponsors (12)
Committees: House Ways and Means; House Appropriations
Latest Major Action: 10/8/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Appropriations, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

H.R.3773 : To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the first-time homebuyer tax credit, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Edwards, Donna F. [MD-4] (introduced 10/8/2009) Cosponsors (5)
Committees: House Ways and Means
Latest Major Action: 10/8/2009 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

The house ways and means committee will also be holding a hearing on the tax credit next Thursday (http://waysandmeans.house.gov/hearings.asp?formmode=view&id=8096). They will be discussing the success of the program thusfar, possible fraud as a result of the program and the possibility of extending it.

BOTTOM LINE: Speaker Pelosi has publicly stated that she wants to see the tax credit extended but I do not see her as a co-sponsor for the legislation formulated in the house. I will keep a close watch on the house ways and means committee meeting next week to see what the tone of the committee is. As of right now, there is a long way to go because all bills are still being discussed in committee and have not been taken to the floor for a vote.

Relevant Legislation In the Senate:

37. S.1678 : A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the first-time homebuyer tax credit, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Cardin, Benjamin L. [MD] (introduced 9/16/2009) Cosponsors (11)
Committees: Senate Finance
Latest Major Action: 9/16/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

This article was published hours ago http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5guZ2uxoyv-PmSFsGGANQP8oGSqmAD9BBOFUO2. To summarize, it looks like the tax credit, which is being pushed by the Obama Administration, is being pursued much more aggressively in the Senate than it is in the house. Speaker Harry Reid and Senator Dodd, Chairman of the Banking Committee are both backing a bill to extend the credit. This is important as it will allow the bill to get pushed through committee faster unto the floor for a vote.

OVERALL ANALYSIS: It appears that the most powerful members of each chamber are fully backing a tax credit and that legislation is in the works. However, it is still in committee at the present time and not ready to vote in either Chamber. It is a good sign that the major players are attempting to push it through.

__________________________________________________________

Ray Smith Home National Mortgage Address: 1000 North Prince St., Lancaster, PA, 17603 Office Phone: (717) 538-0354 Cell Phone: (717) 538-0354 http://www.mortgagemanray.com

September 2009 Lancaster Home Sales Summary...

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 13:47:21 -0500

September 2009 Summary

Home sales in Lancaster County fell from August levels but did not drop appreciably from numbers posted in recent months, posting 423 in September, the same amount as in September 2007. The average sales price continued it’s slide from July highs to reach $181,435 in September. The sustained sales numbers combined with the falling average sold price is likely a result of the push to encourage first time home buyers to take avantage of the expiring $8,000 Federal tax incentive.

For the expanded coverage of the month's sales, visit my Lancaster PA Real Estate blog.

Hello Activerain World! I Have A New Blog And Please Visit It Now...

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 14:41:19 -0500

Hello everyone, I've finally decided to put together an outside blog (after how many years, Brad Andersohn?) and would appreciate it if you could check it out and give me some feedback! I took a Wordpress template, downloaded it onto my hosting account and went to town redoing it to get the look I wanted! Lots of fun (mostly) learning PHP, CSS and new Photoshop functions. But the net result is no $$$ out of pocket!

Jump there now...thanks! I'd like to get some traffic flowing through it.

The Spectre of "Shadow Inventory" Hovers Over Housing...

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 20:47:23 -0500

One of the buzzwords crisscrossing the business internet this year is "Shadow Inventory". I'd like to take the opportunity to explain what this is and how its going to affect you as a real estate pro or homeowner in the coming year.

Actually there are two definitions of Shadow Inventory being used today - but don't let that be confusing. Here they are:

1) The amount of homeowners who are likely to put their homes on the market once they perceive that things are sufficiently improved so that their property will sell in a reasonable time for a reasonable price.

2) The amount of properties that have entered mortgage delinquency, are at some stage along the foreclosure process and will carry through to ultimate resale in the market.

As you can immediately see, the first definition of "Shadow Inventory" is more emotional and harder to estimate - but we who are in the industry probably all know somebody who's "holding off" making a move until things appear better. I recently received this email from a client who has been hesitant to put his home on the market:

"At this time, I do not think we are considering a move. I see too many "for sale" signs that have been on lawns for more than a year. I know some of the prices the homeowners are asking and I think they are reasonable......and they are still not selling. It seems most of the home sales are under $200,000 and I am sure not going that low with my home. I guess I will wait out the economy problems."

According to Zillow.com's Second Quarter 2009 Homeowner Confidence Survey: "...many homeowners could be waiting on the sidelines to sell. When asked about future plans to sell, 29 percent of homeowners said they would be at least 'somewhat likely' to put their homes on the market in the next 12 months if they saw signs of a real estate market turnaround, creating 'shadow inventory' that could slow a recovery." Estimates range from 11 to 30 million homes waiting on the sidelines depending on who you read - either way a staggering number. Reuters quoted Zillow's Chief Economist Stan Humphries as saying "The number of homes listed officially on the market, while still at historically high levels, might be only the tip of the iceberg".

The second form of "Shadow Inventory" in housing is attributed to homes going through delinquency and foreclosure. Laurie Goodman of Amherst Securities and her team of analysts have done a bulk of work on this subject - watch a recent interview on just this subject:

They have been using the term "Housing Overhang" to describe what is happening. The Amherst team used, among other sources, the data from the Mortgage Bankers Association Delinquency Survey for the second quarter 2009. To quote the MBA press release, "The combined percentage of loans in foreclosure and at least one payment past due was 13.16 percent on a non-seasonally adjusted basis, the highest ever recorded in the MBA delinquency survey".

By the way, the numbers estimated 7 out the 56 million estimated homes in the U.S are heading for public sale...almost a year and half of real estate sales (135% to be more exact). Can you say "lots of new inventory"? The Amherst Study concludes "...housing overhang is the single largest impediment to a recovery in the housing market" (quoted from a Forbes article on the study).

So the "Shadow Inventory" of 7 million foreclosures being forecasted to hit the real estate market, in addition to the "Shadow Inventory" of milllions of other homeowners just itching to get their home sold, will be an imposing challenge to home prices (and appraisals, in the case of all those foreclosures).

If you're a homeowner and your market is relatively stable at the moment, you might want to consider putting your house on the market sooner than later, or sidestep the sale altogether if you don't really need to move.

If you're a Real Estate pro, you should watch local and state statistics closely and be informed about the changes in inventory going on. Another good idea is to get in tune with sheriff sales in your county (mine is Lancaster County, PA) so as to be able to explain what's really happening to your clients and the public.

Hopefully this article has helping enlighten us to what's being referred to when we hear "Shadow Inventory" used with regard to the homes market.

Don't forget to check out my recent article examining the coming storm of Mortgage Delinquencies.

___________________________________________________________________________

Interested in learning more about Lancaster County, PA? Read More...

Interested in listing your Lancaster PA Home for sale? See our #1 home marketing program!

Relocating to Lancaster County? We're part of one of the largest relocation companies in the world today.

Lititz PA Events - Gerhart Truck Show 2009

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 13:55:15 -0500

This weekend I took the boys to a show they had been begging me to go to. What was it? A Truck Show! Not just any truck show, but a Mack Truck Show held in Lititz PA (Brunnerville, to be exact) at the facility of the Gerhart Equipment Company.

There were LOTS of trucks there...

Big trucks, small trucks (not too many of those though), dump trucks, tow trucks...trucks!

My oldest son has been reading about trucks and could name most of the models. It was definitely not my cup of tea...

The Gerhart Truck Show is apparently one of the biggest truck shows in Lancaster County annually (it's the only one that I know of, actually)...

There was a bluegrass band and food (of course), with proceeds going to the Brunnerville Fire Company, who had a lot of volunteers there doing a great job.

Did I mention that there were a LOT of trucks there?

Lancaster PA Real Estate Market - August Home Sales Review

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 16:55:26 -0500

Another month gone by...and time to look at the numbers for August 2009 for the Lancaster County Residential Real Estate market. As you know, I'm a charts guy so here are some charts!

Overall, we had a good month! Pendings and Closed home numbers are way up. New listings held steady, which we really needed to keep the supply down as long as possible while sales crawl back up. I'm particularly happy to the see the prices coming down (correcting slowly). After many months of higher average days on market for sold homes, the number came sharply down to 2008 levels. All good!

I tried to highlight the same timeframes for the last 2 years so you can see the curves. For example, last year the sales were already tailing off after peaking in June 2008 (pink line). This year, although far off 2007 levels, the home sales numbers are behaving more "normally". The big question is "what will happen in the fall?" when the bottom fell out last year...

My two little bubbles show my thoughts on the average new listing an ultimate sales prices - the Seasonally-adjusted numbers (12 months rolling average) are both on the decline, in my opinion nicely correcting downwards. Overall, countywide, we've only seen less than 10% average price declines in sold homes.

Let's look to see how September shapes up - I'll be posting that one pretty soon since I'm interested to see what happened!

On another note, Sheriff Sales in Lancaster County are up 20% over 2008 (as of the already-posted November sale). Where will that go?

Lancaster County Twitterers Gather For 'Nother Tweetup!

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 14:43:45 -0500

Once again, a bunch of us Twitter nuts got together at the nutty time of 7am at our old standby, the Prince Street Cafe in downtown Lancaster City PA. The conversation was led by Brenda (@crazywidow) about new locations to try for future tweetups, and we developed a new list to work on. Thanks Brenda!

The gang today was:

@neilrhen
@russellfrost
@poservarial
@bbes
@lancasterhomes
@airport_girl
@crazywidow
@danielklotz
@poservarial
@chuckholt
@odonnellsteve
@godesignunit x2
@KMueller62
@ryanlandgraff

Looking forward to the next tweetup!

Mortgage Delinquencies - The Coming Storm

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 11:22:12 -0500

This is one of those posts where I wish I didn't have to write it, but felt it was so important to my readers that I would be remiss not to at least talk about it.

Everyone out there probably knows somebody who is behind on their mortgage payments, looking for alternatives and likely also just finding out that their home's value has dipped below what their loan amount is. I know some within my own personal circles. It's a tough situation for me to advise them as a professional because it's such a personal challenge to their pride and self-worth, not to mention their plans and dreams for the family. The question we're asking is "when is this going to stop and where are we heading?"

I'm going to put up a few graphs that show the trends nationally with regards to mortgage delinquincies:

This chart is by quarter - Single-family mortgages set a new record delinquency rate in the second quarter of 2009, according to a quarterly survey by the Mortgage Bankers Association. Those of us in the real estate business see the foreclosure process (just visit the local Sheriff Sale docket to see the current numbers) but the looming delinqency-to-foreclosure issue is far, far larger.

The Wall Street Journal on 8/3/09 reported the following quote: “While subprime mortgages sparked the first round of housing problems two years ago, now "troubles are lurking further up the food chain," says Joshua Shapiro, chief U.S. economist at MFR Inc. White-collar job losses have accelerated while more adjustable-rate loans to prime borrowers are resetting to higher payments. ‘You put all that together, it leads me to believe that the next leg down on home prices is going to come from the top,’ he says.”

The first objection someone may have would be to say "yes, but historically those who are delinqent usually get their act together and come current on the mortgage after a while". That WAS true, but not anymore! We call that the "Cure Rate", that is the rate of delinquencies that go back to current. The Wall Street Journal reported on 8/24/09 about a Fitch analysis that found that the Cure Rate from 2000-2006 was 45% (which means about half of people fix their delinquency). However, as of July 2009 the rate had dropped to just 6.6%! That means that over 90% of delinquent customers are going to foreclosure. Take a look again at the above chart...

The next thing someone will say is "well, that's the 'sand states' and not my area". Here's the chart for all 50 states showing the same breakdown of delinquencies and foreclosures. Guess what - most states have a significant problem, especially compared to historical figures.

Now the next thing someone may say is "aren't those loans going to get 'fixed' by a loan modification?" I know several people right now who are applying for a Lancaster County loan modification but are waiting and waiting. I hope it works out for them...

In reality, loan modifications are hardly making a dent. To me, that's a burning question. Why arent banks being more aggressive in giving customers the option to extend their loan and/or reset to a lower rate? Why are they being SO difficult? The people I know don't want to be foreclosed. They CAN make payments. They just need the terms redrawn to allow them to catch & keep up. Loan modifications are not helping us get this crisis under control.

What are the causes of all these delinquencies? Here's a chart that is enlightening:

We hear a lot about adjustable rate mortgages being the culprit, but the reality is that it's the loss of jobs and the tanking real estate market that's the perfect storm. See my previous post on unemployment in the nation, the state and Lancaster County.

Keep in mind, this post is not intended to give us "good news". You may be experiencing good things in your market and that's great. My intent is to get us thinking about the challenges that aren't going away and how we're going to address them as homeowners, agents and professionals. I'd love to hear your ideas!

Unemployment in Lancaster County Vs. Pennsylvania & The US

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 14:14:04 -0500

I thought this review of unemployment in Lancaster, the state and nationally would be timely given my upcoming set of articles on the state of home sales and the real estate market outlook. Here's a chart showing the historical trends:

You'll notice right away that the Pennsylvania unemployment rate very closely tracks with the national unemployment rate. In 2009 you can see that the national rate is leaping up & away as other states (such as Nevada and Michigan) jump into the middle teen rates for unemployment.

Lancaster County has historically tracked about two percentage points below the state and nation but you can see that the gap has closed in recent years. We're getting hit with the same big spike in 2009 and are at all but 8% right now. The national rate is approaching 10%.

Here's the definition of "unemployed" that is commonly used. Keep in mind, by this definition people who are not actively looking for work are NOT COUNTED - that includes folks who have given up the search for the time being and those who are underemployed (not earning enough to support themselves). The actual percentage may run into the high teens...

Why am I talking about this? I've been doing homework on our future market here in Lancaster County and the impact that foreclosures will have in driving down prices. I beleive there's a whole new wave of foreclosures coming this winter and into 2010. If you're like me you're probably talking to people who are just about to lose their house (or voluntarily give it up - we'll talk about that). The unemployment situation is a root cause of all this.

Look for my next article on the develping story of mortgage delinquincies and the failure of "loan modifications".

Introducing The Mary Reynolds Mansion - Lancaster City Homes For Sale and B&B For Sale

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 11:20:34 -0500

I'm pleased to introduce you to a true Lancaster City gem - The Mary Reynolds Mansion at 802 North Duke Street.

This Colonial Revival was built as the residence of Mary Reynolds, widow of Samuel H. Reynolds. Estimated date of completion was 1897. Samuel Reynolds was a prominent Lancaster attorney; his wfe was a daughter of William B. Fordney. When new, this mansion and it's carriage house were on the northern edge of town. The architect is unknown, but beleived to be Herman F. Wohlsen. He certainly was responsible for much of the carpentry work evident throughout the home.

The Colonial Revival Style (also called Georgian Revival) developed after the Centennial of 1876. This structure represents a free adaptation of the form and ornament of a New England mansion of the very late 1700's. The use of frame, the hipped roof and the placement of ornament all indicate indebtedness to sources in the Boston-Salem area dating c. 1785-1810.

The gardens post date 1901. Here the prominent feature is the ornamented colonnade. The conservatory (or solarium) at the back of the house most likely was contemporary to the gardens. The stained glass dome ceiling is an amazing piece of period art and most likely the work of a Tiffany or similar house. The ceiling was recently valued at over $200,000 alone. The grounds also include a large pergola that has been used for weddings and gatherings. The carriage house is over 2,000 square feet and is finished to office space with bath.

If you are looking for a spectacular home to call your own or to use as a Bed & Breakfast, this property delivers the best in Victorian charm and size while being located in the center of a thriving city environment. Lancaster is home to a burgeoning art colony and the new Lancaster County Convention Center promises continued growth.

The home has 9 bedrooms with closets, 3 full baths and 2 half baths. There are many other rooms to use as you choose over 3 full floors. Square footage is over 8000 not counting the carriage house. The entire property is offered at $1,190,000.

If you are interested in seeing this amazing property email me at info@yourlancasterhome.com or call 717-799-0851.

___________________________________________________________________________

Interested in learning more about Lancaster County, PA? Read More...

Interested in listing your Lancaster PA Home for sale? See our #1 home marketing program!

Relocating to Lancaster County? We're part of one of the largest relocation companies in the world today.

2 Million Dollar Gap Between Most Expensive and Most Affordable Markets...

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 14:23:36 -0500

COLDWELL BANKER REAL ESTATE RELEASES ANNUAL HOME PRICE COMPARISON INDEX FOR united states and SELECT international MARKETS

$2 Million Difference Between Four-Bedroom Homes In Most Expensive Market of La Jolla, Calif., and Most Affordable Market, Grayling, Mich.

Singapore Tops International List as Most Expensive Foreign Market; Salinas, Ecuador Most Affordable

PARSIPPANY, N.J. (Sept. 23, 2009) – The 2009 Coldwell Banker® Home Price Comparison Index (HPCI) released today found a price gap of more than $2 million between the most expensive and most affordable U.S. housing markets. In the annual comparison of similar 2,200-square foot homes in 310 U.S. housing markets, La Jolla, Calif. led the list as the most expensive real estate market in the country with an average home price of $2,125,000. Grayling, Mich., also known as the “canoe capital of the world,” ranked as the most affordable market in America, where a similarly sized home costs $112,675.

La Jolla was joined on the most expensive list by 13 other California markets while Grayling was one of 20 Midwest communities on the most affordable list. Internationally, Singapore was the most expensive market for the same type of home, $1.9 million U.S. dollars, compared with Salinas, Ecuador, which at $69,375 U.S. dollars was the most affordable studied international market.

Lancaster fell in the middle of the report, with a housing index of 71 and average price of $257,000.

(Click here to see the full Coldwell Banker HPCI chart)

Differing from most housing reports that compare median prices, the annual Coldwell Banker HPCI, provides an apples-to-apples comparison of similar 2,200 square foot, four-bedroom, two-and-a-half bath homes in the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada and a sampling of countries/territories outside of North America where Coldwell Banker Real Estate has a presence.

”While price differentials are interesting to compare, I am most intrigued with the affordability levels now seen across much of the nation,” says Jim Gillespie, president and chief executive officer of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. “The four-bedroom, two-and-a-half bath home is one we deem ‘aspirational’ and usually purchased by move-up buyers experiencing lifestyle changes. Thirty percent of the markets show this type of home to be below $200,000, illustrating the opportunity to take advantage of price declines, interest rate levels and increased selection of homes. Encouraging these move-up buyers back into the market is a crucial next step toward helping to rejuvenate the housing industry and the overall U.S. economy.”

Elizabethtown PA Homes For Sale - New Listing In Brookridge Estates

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 13:56:18 -0500

Come visit this beautiful open floor plan with soaring Palladian-style windows framing a cozy fireplace in the 2-story great room! There is a custom den with built-in cherry desk, shelving & cabinets. Professionally lighted landscaping wraps around the home. The 1st floor MBR & laundry,eat-in kitchen w/breakfast bar, formal dining room w/ tray ceiling, wainscoting & chair rail. ELIGIBLE FOR ZERO-DOWN USDA FINANCING!

Visit www.952 Hedgewyck.com for more photos and details...

___________________________________________________________________________

Interested in learning more about Lancaster County, PA? Read More...

Interested in listing your Lancaster PA Home for sale? See our #1 home marketing program!

Relocating to Lancaster County? We're part of one of the largest relocation companies in the world today.

National Civil War Museum - Harrisburg PA

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 12:02:40 -0500

I had the opportunity to visit the National Civil War Museum in Harrisburg Pennsylvania yesterday - it's located in Reservoir Park, just off of Route 83. I was impressed by the size of the place - I understand that the collection and museum came largely from Harrisburg Mayor Stephen Reed's efforts during the 1990's.

We toured the museum's displays, which were decent but a bit hard to follow. The layout was largely a timeline from the end of antebellum times to the westward expansion of the 1880's. The museum's marketing pieces claim that it's the only museum dedicated to the entire Civil War in the country. Quote:

"The only museum in The United States that portrays the entire story of the American Civil War. Equally balanced presentations are humanistic in nature without bias to Union or Confederate causes."

Here's a couple of interior photos - flash was not allowed (which I thought a bit funny, considering that we had just been to the National Gallery in Washington DC, where it was allowed with priceless paintings everywhere you look...).

It took about 2 hours to work through the whole museum, which is an acceptable time. Admission was $9.00 for adults and $7.00 for kids over 5 years old. Overall I thought the experience was worth it - once. I would recommend the new visitor's center at Gettysburg National Battlefield if you're looking for something very similar. In fact, I was struck by the similarities in the presentation and look/feel of the two museums.

As we were leaving town I thought it would be neat to grab a photo of our state's capital dome:

We also drove by Three Mile Island Nuclear Plant on the way home to East Petersburg - yep, it was still there.

Another day in Southeastern Pennsylvania...

Lancaster PA Twitter Gang Gets Together...Prince Street Cafe

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:39:42 -0500

This morning we had another great gathering of Lancaster County Twitter users over at the Prince St. Cafe in Downtown Lancaster City. Some new faces were there - thanks for coming out!

Here's the list of attendees so you can follow them...

@wtrmaus
@asruiz
@beckami
@zoidland
@crazywidow
@ryansmoker
@Teammcloud
@airport_girl
@re_marks
@christophervogt
@bbes
@jeremywalter
@chuckholt
@lancasterhomes
@mspiker
@Therealizzy
@adamchlan
@joeltweets

Lancaster PA Condos For Sale - Millersville - Oak Knoll Condominium Home

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 15:09:07 -0500

Just on the market today - a very nice second-floor unit in Oak Knoll, a Lancaster condo community in a great location on the east side of Millersville. For those looking to work or study at Millersville University, this could be a good option. With a price under $140,000, this home is a good choice for someone looking to move from renting to owning before the first-time buyer credit ends in November...especially cool is that the seller is including ALL the appliances (which are newer).

Bedrooms - 3

Baths - 2 Full

Garage - 1 Car Detached

Square Ft - 1,412

Laundry Room

Fireplace

Banquet Seating in Kitchen

Walk-in Closet

Window seating

Private balcony

And more!

Check out this home's website at www.102OakKnoll.com for more photos and details.

AMA Superbikes In New Jersey! A Great Day...

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 13:42:58 -0500

I took the kids to the AMA Road Racing series (American Motorcycle Association) finale event held at the New Jersey Motorsports Park last weekend. We made the 2.5 hour drive from Lancaster County to Milville, NJ through the labor day traffic (not bad). Since I spent much of the 90's participating in the roadracing scene in southern California, including helping in the pits at AMA events for a great friend who raced, I was excited to expose my kids to my favorite sport! The day and the track did not disappoint...

We got there a bit late but missed some of the morning lines at the gate (prepaying for tix helps too!). We left around 6:30pm after much of the crowd had gone home...I love the evenings at the track, when the teams and riders pull up folding chairs and relax in the cooler air to chat about the day's events and life in general. We had a special chance to get photos with Mat Mladin, retiring 7-time AMA Superbike champion who was hanging around his trailer doing autographs for the fans wandering by. And also a special thanks to Beth Miller of the AMA who stopped to admire my son's Smokin' Joes Racing hat (she remembers them...do you?) and give my kids stickers.

Also hot was a stunt show put on in the late afternoon by Aaron Colton, a 17 year-old rider who was exceptional in flinging his Honda CBR around in an excellent display for the fans at the fences - as you'll see in the photos, he got PRETTY close to my camera lens - I got some great shots of his work.

All in all, a special day for me to get back the races after 10+ years away, and for my kids to see the sport I love and how friendly it really is. Can't wait until next labor day!

Photos...

Eat Out This September And Support The Lancaster Library

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 14:44:32 -0500

I don't know about you, but I use the Lancaster Library fairly regularly. In fact, they've seen a 30% increase in traffic over 2008, according to a representative who visited our Council meeting in East Petersburg last night. With the ranks of the jobless on the rise (what recovery?) more and more people are using the free internet access and prep materials for job hunting and interviews.

Bad news is, with the PA budget impasse and expected cuts, the state funding for the library is going to dry up significantly.

If you're a supporter of the Lancaster Library yourself, then you have an opportunity to help this month! Loxleys Restaurant, part of the newly opened Heritage Hotel in Centerville, is including the Library in it's "Loxley's Legend Continues" Benefit Program. During the month of September, the Library will be one of three charities to receive 5% of the food bill.

Be sure to specify the Library as your choice when dining there. Tell all your friends and relatives and ask them to go to Loxley’s the next time they go out to dinner.

Go eat!

With All The Focus On Mortgage "Scams", How Can THIS Happen?

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 12:01:28 -0500

OK, this got me mad. We received this notice at my house last night in the mail. Here's what was visible through the envelope windows:

Notice the "HUD Lender ID" with the imposing "PA reference number" below it, and especically the "FIRST NOTICE" prominent in the top right. Since we had just refinanced, I immediately thought this was some notice related to the new or old loan.

Upon opening the "notice", here's what I saw:

Ok, my eye had gone to all the places this mortgage ad designer had wanted them to go to:

PA reference number
"FIRST NOTICE"
"You have not responded"

Now that it was obvious to me that this was just another mortgage solicitation, I became pretty upset at the underhanded tactics employed by this broker. You can't tell me that this isn't specifically designed to scare elderly and young people into calling to "see if everything is OK" just to be pitched by some salesperson on a refinance.

I did some web research on this outfit and found some truly nasty comments, even from mortgage officers advising others not to work there. Here's an example; http://www.mortgagegrapevine.com/thread/?thread=560771. Also, a promintent article at Philly.com about a "stimulus act" mailer "scam": http://www.philly.com/philly/business/20090307_Stimulus_gives_rise_to_consumer_scams.html. In one article the reporter says that the CEO of this company denied any wrongdoing in reference to another misleading mailer - did we expect otherwise? Maybe he should talk to his ad staff.

This company should be ashamed of itself and in my opinion they are part of the crisis in confidence in the real estate industry right now. Intercontinental Capital Group of 55 East 59th Street 4th Floor, New York NY 10022. Stay AWAY from these people just because of decency's sake.

New Green Homebuyer Program A First in Pennsylvania

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 11:55:18 -0500

Lancaster, PA (August 28, 2009) – The Jeff Geoghan Realty Group of Coldwell Banker Select Professionals proudly announced an innovative new homebuyer program this week.

Many homebuyers today are interested in finding the most energy-efficient homes and are often ready to make improvements to the property that reflect their personal values in support of the “green” movement. However, homes on the market aren’t easily identified as being energy-efficient and buyers can find navigating the internet to find serious green contractors a daunting task.

Jeff Geoghan, a longtime green advocate in Central PA, has introduced a new program called the SmartGreen™ Homebuyer Package, designed to bring green products and services into a “one-stop” opportunity for buyers, and to assist them with selecting homes based on energy savings & improvement possibilities. The program website is www.SmartGreenPA.com.

“In my experience working with the public, the most compelling need has been to be able to connect buyers and homeowners with committed green service providers” says Geoghan, who is a Coldwell Banker agent. “There are many great vendors throughout our corner of PA and I’m bringing them together in a comprehensive package consumers can access in one place”.

Customers signing up for the package will receive a complimentary home energy audit performed by Scott Pusey of Pusey & Raffensberger Builders of Lititz, PA. Pusey will perform the audit on the prospective home and deliver a report detailing areas of opportunity. Other key package partners are Douglas Campbell, a LEED AP architect and Steve Mellinger of Blue Moon Solar, both of Lancaster, who are offering complimentary consultations with SmartGreen™ clients. Offers Geoghan “We’re adding new partners regularly, and my ultimate goal is to bring all serious green vendors under one umbrella that buyers can have easy access to”.

Keystone HELP, an acclaimed Pennsylvania state-supported financing program, is also a partner in the Smartgreen™ Package. Keystone HELP, administered by AFC First Financial Corporation, offers low-interest loans to homeowners looking to finance energy-efficient improvements.

Jeff Geoghan is a member of the Green Building Association of Central Pennsylvania, Susquehanna Sustainable Business Network and an Energy Star® partner.

The Jeff Geoghan Realty Group, part of the Coldwell Banker Select Professionals family of real estate agents, is based at 1000 North Prince Street in historic Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Their acclaimed website is www.YourLancasterHome.com and they serve the Lancaster PA real estate market with professional and personal services for home buyers and home sellers. Jeff Geoghan is a top real estate expert in Lancaster County, PA, and has been featured in the Lancaster Newspapers, WGAL Channel 8, PA Business Journal and Wall Street Journal.

# # #

Lancaster PA Real Estate Market - Home Prices & Sales Trends - July 2009

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 15:13:06 -0500

As promised in my earlier post recapping July 2009 home sales in Lancaster County PA, here's a review of where we are as a county through July 2009.

First up is the home sales chart for the last 36 months:

New listings are experiencing a bit of an uptick for this time of year, mirroring last July/August. As you can see, the bottom fell out in October due to the financial mess of that month. This year should not be as traumatic (no election to influence, you see...). Home sales took a downward tack in July and it will be interesting to see what happens in August, as by all accounts the market has been good this month.

To some degree we are in uncharted waters in the Lancaster County home market, as the freefall of last fall is not expected to recur and the expiration of the first-time buyer tax credit in December will stop any incentive there. Will we reach under 200 sales for the dead of winter again??????

So what's up with home prices then?

I circled the Julys on the chart - The home sales price rebounded a bit from 2008 in July and has been rising in a healthy manner most of the year. Last year prices fell steeply in October/November, so we can certainly expect a drop into the fall. Again, the effect of the financial meltdown and subsequent government reactions on our local market is hard to quantify, and all we can do is hope that we'll see a softer falloff such as occurred in 2007 (see the chart).

Unfortunately, the "price gap" between list and sell prices got bigger in July rather than smaller as I had hoped in the June Market report. That's a bummer IMO because I think the market would have practically exploded had the gap narrowed to very little (list prices would have been VERY attractive and buyers would have leaped off the fences). As it was, list prices rose sharply in July. Note that the SALP, or seasonally-adjusted (12 month rolling) list price is still down, though. The SASP(Seasonally-adjusted sold price) has also fallen considerably throughout 2009, almost 10,000. Good news for buyers even still...

Bottom line = no disaster here, and the future of home sales depends a lot on how we weather the fall in the shadow of the 2008 mess.

___________________________________________________________________________

Interested in learning more about Lancaster County, PA? Read More...

Interested in listing your Lancaster PA Home for sale? See our #1 home marketing program!

Relocating to Lancaster County? We're part of one of the largest relocation companies in the world today.